Blackboard Learn 9.1 Frequently Asked Questions

Blackboard is Adams State University’s institutionally supported Learning Management System (LMS) for all online, hybrid, and supplemental courses. We have provided some information to some of the frequently asked questions (FAQs) to help in understanding this system.

Blackboard System Requirements

Certified: fully tested and supported.
Compatible: partially tested but should function properly.
Provisional: future technologies considered supported by Blackboard Support.
Unsupported: either impossible or not tested.

-Windows

Internet
Explorer® 9

Internet
Explorer 8

Firefox (Final
Release Channel)

Firefox
3.6

Chrome (Stable
Channel)

Windows XP (32-bit)

Unsupported

Compatible

Compatible

Compatible

Compatible

Windows
Vista® (32-bit)

Certified

Compatible

Certified

Compatible

Compatible

Windows Vista
(64-bit)

Compatible

Compatible

Compatible

Compatible

Compatible

Windows 7 (32-bit)

Certified

Compatible

Certified

Compatible

Certified

Windows 7 (64-bit)

Compatible

Compatible

Compatible

Compatible

Compatible

-Macintosh

Safari® 5.1

Safari 5.0

Safari 4.0

Firefox (Final Release Channel)

Firefox3.6

Chrome (Stable Channel)

Mac OSX 10.5 "Leopard®"

Unsupported

Compatible

Compatible

Compatible

Compatible

Compatible

Mac OSX 10.6 "Snow Leopard®"

Compatible

Certified

Compatible

Certified

Compatible

Certified

Mac OSX 10.7 "Lion®"

Compatible

Unsupported

Unsupported

Compatible

Compatible

Compatible

• Blackboard strives to make all its products as accessible as possible. JAWS for Windows 11 and 12 were used during accessibility testing.
• The following technologies are not supported:
o Internet Explorer 6 and Internet Explorer 7
o Firefox 1.x, 2.0, 3.0, and 3.5
o Safari 2.0, 3.x (or any version on Windows)
o Mac OSX 10.4 "Tiger"
• Internet Explorer 8 and Internet Explorer 9 are tested in Standards Mode. Some known issues can be resolved by using Compatibility Mode (emulates IE7 behavior).
• Both Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox have moved to a rapid release cycle. At the time of testing, Chrome 16.0 and Firefox 9.0 were the latest available versions. Since then, new stable versions may have been released and widely adopted. Blackboard is supporting all newer stable versions of Chrome and Firefox.

-Software:

*Word Processor, presentation software. Adams State University uses Microsoft Office which includes -MS Word, PowerPoint and Excel. Other software that is used and is free:
-Adobe Acrobat Reader (Free at www.adobe.com)-Adobe Flash (Free at www.adobe.com)-Java (Free at www.java.com)

*Open Office is an open source provider of a package equivalent to Microsoft Office. It includes a word processor, presentation software and spreadsheet. You can get this package by going to openoffice.org/ It is free and works with Word.

What are Temporary Internet Files (cache)?

Temporary Internet Files are the “cache” of the Browser. This means that when you load a page from the internet, it is saved on your computer so that if you later decide to open the same page again, it will open faster. Temporary Internet Files improve speed of web browsing and also make possible “offline browsing”, which gives you the ability to open the web pages from the cache even when you are not connected to the Internet. When using secure (password protected) sites, such as Blackboard, temporary internet files (cache) can cause issues with access. It is recommended that you clear your temporary internet files (cache) as the first step in troubleshooting if you are unable to login to Blackboard.

How do Temporary Internet Files affect Blackboard?

Temporary Internet Files may interfere with content being downloaded from Blackboard. By clearing your Temporary Internet Files you are starting with a clean slate.

How do I clear my Temporary Internet Files (CACHE)?

When using the Mozilla Firefox browser, select “Tools” from the tool bar. After selecting ”Tools”, select “Clear Recent History”. A box will appear asking which items to clear. To clear Temporary Internet Files or Cache make sure the “Cache” check box is selected. For additional assistance, please see: Clearing Cache in Firefox
When using the Internet Explorer browser, select “Tools” from the tool bar. After selecting “Tools”, select “Internet Options”, and select “Delete” under “Browsing history” in the “General” tab. For additional assistance, please see: Clearing temporary internet files in Internet Explorer

How do I allow pop-ups from Blackboard?

When using the Mozilla Firefox browser, to allow pop-ups for Blackboard Click on Tools >> Options >> and select the Content tab. Directly across from the Block pop-ups check box, select the EXCEPTIONS tab. In the address of the website you wish to allow type in: adams.blackboard.com, and select allow.

When using the Internet Explorer browser, to allow pop-ups for Blackboard click on the Tools>> Pop-up blocker>> Pop-up blocker settings. Once in the settings, type in the address: adams.blackboard.com and select add.

What is a token number?

A token is a number provided by Adams State University upon registration. This number is a one time use number that allows you to get your password. To get your password using your token, go to www.adams.edu/getit and enter your information including your token number and student ID number.

Untitled Document

A Token Number is a number provided by Adams State upon registration. This number and your student ID number will be sent to you in your admissions letter. You will be able to activate your Adams State account by following the instructions below:

Make note of your Adams State username [email address is username@grizzlies.adams.edu]

You will be given a computer generated password. It is highly recommended that you change your password by selecting the Change Your Password tab located on at www.adams.edu/onestop.

What is a Student Identification Number?

A Student Identification Number (SIN) is a number provided by Adams State upon registration. The SIN will appear as 900-***-***. This number will remain the same for you throughout your time at Adams State. This number is essential for registration, financial aid, and many other aspects of Adam State. This number and your token number will be sent to you in your admissions letter. If for some reason you do not receive your Student Identification Number, contact Adams State University’s Computing Services at 719.587.7741. You will be able to activate your Adams State account by following the instructions below:

By activating your Adams State account, you will be able to do the following:

Access your Adams State student email account

View and accept Adams State financial aid award

Financial aid is disbursed when classes begin if all required documentation is in place.

Register or View your class schedule and add/drop courses

Course scheduling must be discussed with and approved by your department advisor.

What is my Username?

A username will be issued to you by Adams State University upon enrollment. This username is used to login to all aspects of the college, including, Blackboard, email, and One-stop. If for some reason you do not receive your username, contact Adams State University computing services at 719-587-7741.

How do I change my password?

After getting your initial password set (see what is a token number) you will be given an opportunity to change your password. This will change your password for all logins with Adams State University. If you want to change your password following the initial setup (which is recommended) visit www.adams.edu/onestop and select the CHANGE PASSWORD link. Enter required information and click "submit query."

How do I know that my computer is ready for Blackboard?

Please see the chart at the top of this page to review system requirements.

How do I login to Blackboard?

From the Adams State University homepage: www.adams.edu, Click on the “One Stop” tab at the top of the page. Once on the one stop page, select the tab labeled “Blackboard”. This will take you to the Blackboard login page. Additionally, you can go to online.adams.eduType in your username and password and click “OK”. You will be brought to a login page in which you will enter your username and password. Once you have entered the correct information, your Blackboard My Courses homepage will appear with a listing of your class or classes. Select the class you wish to enter from the list.

Who do I contact if I have issues with the content of the course in Blackboard?

If you have questions, concerns, or issues with the subject matter in the course, you will need to contact your instructor of the course. You will find you instructor’s information in the syllabus. The Academic Instructional Technology Center is not responsible for the content aspect of the course.

Who do I contact if I have problems accessing or using the Technology involved with Blackboard?

Adams State University now has an Academic Instructional Technology Center (AITC) to assist you with educational technology. The website for the Adams State University Academic Instructional Technology Center is http://ait.adams.edu. You can also get assistance through email by contacting asaitc@adams.edu or call 719-587-7371.

Browser Plug-ins

Blackboard courses require the use browser plug-ins. In order to avoid technical difficulties with Blackboard and its components, you need one or more of the plug-ins below. Supported browsers will generally automatically download any plug-in required by a particular page, but you may want to download and install these plug-ins now to avoid technical problems. Java is required for all Blackboard components it can be downloaded for free at http://www.java.com . Adobe Flash is required for many Blackboard courses that incorporate interactive quizzes, animations, and activities. Adobe PDF documents are used in most Blackboard courses and web sites. This plug-in is recommended for accessing PDF files. Both of these programs can be downloaded for free at http://www.adobe.com/